Flash photography tip: Use Eneloop batteries

Thursday 23 February 2023, 20:02 by Elja Trum | 3,564 views | 11 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Your flashgun needs to get its energy from somewhere, of course. A hot-shoe flash usually takes four AA batteries. Using normal batteries isn't very practical, as flash photography then becomes an expensive hobby. It's smart to use rechargeable batteries.

Eneloop (Pro) batteries
My advice is to use Panasonic Eneloop batteries. I use the standard Eneloop batteries myself, the white ones in the photo above, for my flash triggers, and the more powerful Eneloop Pro batteries, the black ones, in my flashes.

Eneloop batteries retain their charge for much longer than standard rechargeable batteries. Even if you leave your flashes with their batteries in a cupboard for a month, they will lose very little power. That's different with other rechargeable batteries.

An alternative to Eneloop is GP Recyko, but I prefer Eneloops.

Which batteries do you use for your flashguns?

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About the author

Elja Trum is the founder of Photofacts and online photography course website Photofacts Academy. He has been writing about photography since 2006. Elja is also the author of (Dutch) books on composition, black-and-white photography, flash photography and portrait photography.

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11 comments

Wim wrote on Thursday 23 February 2023 at 21:07 | reply
I’ve also been using the white Eneloops for years.
Translated from Dutch.

Wilfried Debergh wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 10:30 | reply
I use IKEA batteries. They are supposed to be the same at a lower price and in my experience that's true. In any case, they are both better than those from GP.
Translated from Dutch.

remco wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 11:57 | reply
yep ikea version is from the same factory, different label on it and much cheaper
Translated from Dutch.

Maurice wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 12:29 | reply
I also have the Ikea 2450 mAh batteries, perfect!! They even last longer than the 2400 Varta ones that came with my charger!
Translated from Dutch.

Pieter wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 13:32 | reply
I initially used rechargeable batteries from Duracell, but they ran out very quickly. After not being used for 1 week, they already needed recharging. For a few years now, I have been happily using the Eneloop Pro and the Ladda from IKEA, especially the latter are a lot cheaper, both last a long time on 1 charge and hardly lose any power.
Translated from Dutch.

Robert wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 13:54 | reply
For years with my SB 900-910, the GP 2600! Fast, good and quick to recharge. Perfect every time at receptions and weddings.
Photographic regards Robert
Translated from Dutch.

Peter wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 15:01 | reply
I've been using the black Eneloops for a long time, great and they never run out.
Translated from Dutch.

guest wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 15:41 | reply
I use eneloop (white and black) at work and privately, and have for years, but it's interesting to read that the Ikea batteries also last a very long time. To be honest, I actually use the flash very little.
Translated from Dutch.

guest wrote on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 21:31 | reply
I use the white eneloop batteries for almost everything and the black ones for my flashes. And I’ve been happy with them for years!
Translated from Dutch.

August wrote on Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 22:00 | reply
Can you still buy those at IKEA (Ladda 2450 mAh)
I believe the high-capacity batteries are no longer in stock.
Translated from Dutch.

ifiamminghi wrote on Tuesday 7 March 2023 at 15:29 | reply
I've also been using the Eneloop Pro for years and can only agree with the comments above.
@August, in Belgium those batteries (2450mAh) are definitely readily available... so that must be the case in the Netherlands too, right ?
Translated from Dutch.

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